Unruh, Elizabeth Goertz (1870-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Mar 27 p. 6

Birth date: 1870 Feb 22

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. H. J. Unruh, 88, pioneer settler of the Goessel community, were held Monday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church, Rev. P. A. Wedel officiating. Mrs. Unruh, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Heinrich Goertz, came to this country with the Alexanderwohl group in 1874 and had lived in the Goessel area ever since. She died at the home in Goessel on March 20. Surviving are three sons and two daughters, a brother, Cornelius P. Goertz of Hillsboro, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Apr 17 p. 8

text of obituary:

ELIZABETH GOERTZ UNRUH

Our mother, Elizabeth Goertz Unruh, daughter of Rev. Heinrich and Sara Pankratz Goertz was born in Alexanderwohl, South Russia on Feb. 22, 1870, and passed away March 20, 1958, reaching the age of 88 years and 26 days.

The first few years of her life were spent in Russia until her family migrated to America in 1874; and established a home in Marion County, Kansas. She grew to womenhood [sic] amidst the limitations of pioneer life. She attended the Springfield elementary school and continued her education through reading.

She was baptized upon her confession of faith in her redeemer Jesus Christ on May 21, 1888, by Elder Jacob Buller, and became a member of the Alexanderwohl Church, whose faithful member she remained until her death.

She was married to our father, Heinrich J. Unruh, on Nov. 17, 1891. They shared joys and sorrows for almost 61 years, till father was called to his reward Oct. 24, 1952. Thus they were privileged to celebrate by the grace of God not only the 50th but also the 60th wedding anniversary. This union was blest with six children — four sons and two daughters, of which the oldest son preceded her in death in early infancy.

Although always in frail health she had a stalwart faith with which she met the trials and tests of life. In 1933 she had a stroke which left her in a weakened physical and mental condition. As gradually her memory began to fail and she could not read any more she held onto the Word of God by just holding her Bible in her hand. Her favorite Bible verse was ROM. 12:12, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”

She took sick with influenza the last week in December 1956, which left her in such a weakened condition that she became bedfast. Again she took sick with flu and a throat infection March 5 of this year. Though she had the best of medical care it was the Lord's will to take her unto himself. Her soul was released on Thursday at 9:40 in the morning to be with the Lord.

She leaves to mourn the five children, Ferd G. Unruh and wife Marie of Lehigh, Kansas, Sarah Mrs. Henry J. Woelk and husband of Wichita, Kansas, Anna M. Unruh of the home at Goessel, Kansas, Henry G. Unruh and family of rural Canton, Kansas, Ernest G. Unruh and family of rural Newton, Kansas; one brother, Cornelius P. Goertz of the Salem Home in Hillsboro, Kansas; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held in the Alexanderwohl Church on March 24, 1958, at 2:30 p. m. under the direction of Rev. P. A. Wedel assisted by Rev. Leo Miller. Interment was made in the Alexanderwohl Church cemetery.